<aside> <img src="/icons/cursor_gray.svg" alt="/icons/cursor_gray.svg" width="40px" /> These are not affiliate links — I have not been incentivized to recommend any of these products, and I don’t make any money when you buy them. This is the gear I use for looking up at the night sky or looking down at moss and mushrooms.
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Celestron Trailseeker 8x42 binoculars and included accessories.
Celestron Trailseeker 8x42 Binoculars
I use my Celestron Trailseekers more than anything else for stargazing, planetary observation, and gawking at the moon. Binoculars are super easy to grab and run out the door with — no extra prep, battery power, or accessories needed. I keep them on a wall hook for easy access every day of the year.
Using these, I’ve seen Saturn, Jupiter and four of its moons, the Andromeda galaxy, Pleiades, the double stars Mizar and Alcor, and countless other stars. Targeting a specific object is awesome, but my favorite way to observe with binoculars is to sweep areas of the sky and just see how many stars reveal themselves. It’s life-changing when the Milky Way is up. At shorter distances, these have also helped me spot ospreys and bald eagles.
There may be better binoculars on the market that are dedicated to astronomy, but these are perfect for me. The 8x magnification means I can hold them in my hands without minor shakes causing too much blur. At higher magnifications (10x and up) you will need a tripod mount. Even the steadiest hands will be too wobbly to get a crisp view, especially if you’re holding the binoculars for an extended period of time.
Celestron Cometron 7x50 Binoculars were made for stargazing and astronomy.
Celestron Cometron 7x50 Binoculars
I’ve also used the Cometron binoculars which are under $50 and have a nice wide view. In general, 7x magnification and 50mm objective lenses are a really good fit for stargazing. With a bigger budget, you could find a slightly higher-end pair with the same specs and be very happy.
Shown here: Celestron’s Skymaster 18-40x80MM Zoom Porro Binoculars mounted on a tripod with an adapter.
If you have shaky hands or tremors and/or prefer to use a tripod in general, take advantage of having a steady, hands-free mount and go for higher magnification with large objective lenses! These tend to be a little bit heavier, but you’re mounting them anyway. You can find some great options here, but don’t forget to factor in the cost of a tripod and mount when it comes to your total budget.
I haven’t purchased a tripod for my binoculars yet. I’m drumming up the courage to make this DIY binocular mount designed by Gary Seronik.